Title: Natural Rubber Structural Bearings

Author(s): Peter B. Lindley

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 70

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 353-378

Keywords: bearing capacity; bearings; bridge bearings; concrete structures; earthquake resistant structures; foundations; manufacturing; railroads; rubber; steels; stiffness; structural members; vibration.

DOI: 10.14359/17418

Date: 1/1/1981

Abstract:
Natural rubber bearings containing steel laminates are located between components of a concrete structure to prevent damage to the structure when relative movements occur between the structural components. The stiffnesses of rubber bearings are markedly shape dependent, and stiffness relations enable bearings suitable for particular applications to be designed. Applications include bridge bearings, antivibration mountings for buildings and for the rail tracks of underground railways and, but still under development, foundation bearings for earthquake protection. As these bearings are made by rubber manufacturers a brief discussion of the manufacturing processes and of the engineering properties of natural rubber should be an aid to meaningful dialogue between engineers and rubber technologists.